PHOENIX — The Nationals have placed struggling left-hander Doug Slaten on the 15-day disabled list with irritation of the ulnar nerve in his throwing elbow and recalled right-hander Craig Stammen from Class AAA Syracuse to take his roster spot.

After watching Slaten allow a three-run triple to Stephen Drew in the fifth inning of Friday night’s game, manager Jim Riggleman speculated the reliever might not be 100 percent physically. Asked by reporters about his health, Slaten (who has allowed 15 of 30 inherited runners to score this season) said he was fine.

On Saturday, though, Slaten acknowledged the elbow issue, saying it seemed to be affecting his command. The Nationals, who had already shut him down for several days last week, decided to place him on the DL.

“I think we need to shut him down, get him checked out, see if there’s something going on there,” Riggleman said. “Because he’s experiencing some things that are just not typical of Doug. He’s not throwing strikes, he’s getting behind hitters. He’s better than that.”

Though he boasted a 2.19 ERA in 23 appearances, Slaten was having all kinds of trouble stranding inherited runners on base. He also wasRead more

good riddance. surprised balli didn't get called up but the speculation about stammen taking maya's spot makes sense i guessnow it's stairs' turn to get the hook…another thing- i'm going out on a limb and saying there is going to be a benches clearing incident sometime in this dbacks series. upton has already been hit three times and each time he makes a bigger and bigger show of staring down the pitcher and flipping his bat. werth got plunked thursday and i bet he gets hit early in this one too. we'll have to wait and see…

Do the Nats use the DL as a "time out" box more than other teams? And I wonder how much this is Riggleman's way of dumping a player that Rizzo won't get rid of. Funny that the doctors can't find the major injuries, but these phantom ones are no big deal.Could Matt Stairs get injured from sitting on the bench? A splinter? Bed sores?

Many times I have seen posters harshly criticize riggs and the fo for not taking action with players. The players lie — all the time. maybe they have been burned too many times and now , when they see a drastic change , they are suspicious. Marquis tried that crap last year. I just saw that Inge, who was under-performing for his team – has mono. Best to check it out – who knows? At least he won't be pitching tonight.

Lackey is currently on a rehab assignment for the Red Sox with a phantom shoulder injury. DL is the only demotion possibility for vets. I think lots of teams do it, and I don't even think it's egregious in this case–there is definitely something wrong with Slaten.

It seems likely to me, at least, that means Riggs was again not impressed with Maya and that he will be returned to Syracuse on this year's option. Adam Carr regressed in Syracuse and so he too is on the DL (in the minors its a 7-day DL) replaced by Hassan Pena. There are now two relievers available in Syracuse who are on the 40-man roster. One is right hander Colin Balester. The is also left-handed!? That would be Atahualpa Severino. Except the last time Rizzo brought him up Rig avoided using him. And then he was optioned back.Be nice if some local writer would find out about that instead of writing, as Jason Reid did, about how Rizzo is opening a new branch of the KGB. What's going on with Severino? Is he just a placeholder for another 40-man addition? Okay, but its been 3 years now? What's his mother going to think?

It is funny how one injury can lead to a cascade of injuries. Slaten gets a irritation of the ulnar nerve of throwing shoulder which leads to a irritation of my internal nerve that leads to an onset of extreme Tourette's syndrome. Damn funny how these things happen.

On the question of using the DL as a 'time out' box or dumping ground, last summer the Mets sent Oliver Perez to the DL after having initially asked him to accept a demotion to the minors (which he had refused to do). MLB reportedly conducted a 'serious investigation' and concluded that Perez was, in fact, injured and the league therefore allowed the roster move to take place. Apparently another team had asked MLB to check it out, given the circumstances. I don't know if any such DL moves have ever actually been prevented by the league, but apparently that possibility exists if a team were found to be abusing the DL option.

Odd that it was Stammen over Balestar, given it is for relief and especially because it doesn't look like he can be used for a few days. I like Stammen more than most, but think there is still a chance he is a starter.Maybe Balestar couldn't be called up yet? I thought that the rule is you have to wait 10 days after being sent down before you can be recalled? I think it has only been about a week. Mark – do you know if that has anything to do with it?

Wally: You are correct that a player can't be optioned and then recalled fewer than 10 days later. However, there is an exception when the player is replacing another due to injury (which is obviously the case with Slaten). Riggleman was asked about why Stammen over Balester and said the Syracuse coaching staff all endorsed Stammen).

I'm one of those Anon 7:17 is talking about when I got tired of Stammen throwing 400-foot pitches. All this pitching depth? I don't see any of it. Livo is still here (thank goodness), Lannan is still here (not so thankful) and Marquis is the ace with Zimm'nn coming on fast. The rest? Meh. I'm surprised Maya has survived for another turn. Considering we usually do get three decent innings out of Maya before the shelling begins, has anyone in the Nats brain trust considered making him a reliever? Nah. Didn't think so. The person who said "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss" deserves post of the day consideration.Go, you freaking Nats, go (GYFNG)

Sunshine, so right. When Riggles made those comments after the game about Slaten hurting it became the clue that he was going to be Gaudin'd.Personally, any way to get rid of him the better and just what a couple of people said, bring in a RH and kill the LOOGY concept.

Sunshine, you crack me up (not Mock). I guess I am alone in thinking that Riggleman's statement was just lovely, and said they still have confidence in Slaten and know someone odd is going on. I found it generous and supportive and just a great way to take care of a player they still value, take him out of harm's way, and make a move many people (me included) were screaming for. Now I'm rooting for them to find out what's wrong, fix it and rehab it.I wish they'd find an exit strategy for Stairs….